Shortlist announced for Sydney Harbour metro tunnel contract

The NSW Government has shortlisted two consortia to build the twin-bore tunnel under Sydney Harbour for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest.

The shortlist includes a Ferrovial, Acciona and BAM Joint Venture and a John Holland, CPB and Ghella Joint Venture.

Described as “Australia’s biggest public transport project”, the first phase of the Sydney Metro project between Rouse Hill and Chatswood is already under construction.

Sydney Metro City & Southwest will extend the line from Chatswood in Sydney’s Lower North Shore, beneath Sydney Harbour, the CBD and on to Bankstown.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said: “When Sydney Metro is extended into the CBD and beyond in 2024, there will be ultimate capacity for a metro train every two minutes in each direction under the city.”

The contract is due to be awarded in the middle of next year, with construction scheduled to start in 2018.